16. Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

2012-13 Combined Stats: 36.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 12.5 APG, 41% FG, 32.5 PER

Although the Milwaukee Bucks' demise is a foregone conclusion, we can't ignore the offensive prowess of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings. Between their shooting and passing, the pair accounts for an immense chunk of the team's offense.

Unfortunately, it means the Bucks are subject to the duo's shot selection and playmaking whims. Ellis and Jennings hoist well over 30 shots per game, but only 41 percent of them go through the hoop.

They're exciting to watch, but there's a reason they have a sub-.500 record and the worst PER on this list.

15. Chandler Parsons and James Harden, Houston Rockets

Chandler Parsons and James Harden joined forces in October and led the Houston Rockets to the No. 8 seed in the West.

They're deadly in transition because they can both pull up for dagger triples or attack the rim effectively. Kevin McHale's offense is so dangerous because Parsons and Harden are great athletes and facilitators.

Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they have their hands full because Kevin Durant is a matchup nightmare, but Russell Westbrook's meniscus tear could provide some opportunities for Houston's young duo.

12. Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers

Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol have been playing some of their finest basketball together recently, so it's a shame that the Los Angeles Lakers supporting cast is so feeble.

Many fans and followers had dismissed Gasol's value to the franchise and noted how incompatible he was with the current system and personnel. The seven-foot Spaniard responded by notching 17.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game in the last eight games of the regular season.

An early playoff exit is inevitable, but this combo was fun to watch when they were at their best.

11. Josh Smith and Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks aren't scaring anyone these days, and that's partially because Josh Smith and Al Horford are a bit banged up.

Larry Drew's young forward-center combo enjoyed a solid all-around 2012-13 campaign, but their playing days together could be dwindling due to Smith's impending free agency.

Horford has quietly become one of the most imposing centers in the league. His 2012-13 campaign included 37-plus minutes per game, and even though he posted a career-high in field goals attempted, he maintained a 54-percent mark.

If these two aren't playing at or near full strength, their time as teammates could be over in a matter of days.

10. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo's ACL injury put more pressure on Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to carry the Boston Celtics, and they answered the bell.

However, the veteran duo needs help in the playoffs. Their squad is on the ropes after a trio of thrashings from the New York Knicks.

Garnett still has a great nose for the ball and can impact the game on both ends, while Pierce has proven to be more versatile during Rondo's absence. Three or four years ago, these guys would have easily landed in the top five of these rankings.

9. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Of all the superstar duos competing in the playoffs, this one's got the best shooting touch.

With David Lee sidelined, the Golden State Warriors' top tandem is the backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

It's difficult for defenses to keep track of both guards at the same time, so one is inevitably bound to break free for a perimeter barrage. Heck, Curry himself is bound to break free even when double-teamed.

Because they have the everyday potential to combine for 40-plus points and 10 assists, they could send the Denver Nuggets on an early vacation.

8. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls

Even without Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls have a formidable duo capable of outplaying any frontcourt on any given night.

Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer are one of the most underrated low-post pairs in the NBA because they do so much more than rebound and score in the paint. Both are superb facilitators who can catch at the high post, turn and diagnose the defense.

Defensively, Noah supplies the kind of stingy defense and unrelenting energy that is rare in professional sports. His fortitude in playing through plantar fasciitis reveals just how gritty he is.

Together, they can give absolutely everything a coach could dream of getting from a big-man duo.

7. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

What do you get when you combine a rebounding machine with the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year?

The heart and soul of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marc Gasol's toughness and Zach Randolph's craftiness continue to stump athletically superior lineups. Their 19 rebounds per game and physical defense helped Memphis thrive rather than just survive without Rudy Gay.

Can they exorcise last year's demons and upend the Los Angeles Clippers?

5. Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Since Russell Westbrook is out indefinitely after surgery on his meniscus, Serge Ibaka steps up as Kevin Durant's main man for the next few weeks.

Oklahoma City is lucky to have a frontcourt comprised of these two. They combined for 4.33 blocks per contest in the regular season and accounted for more than 40 points on 54 percent shooting.

Ibaka has become considerably more dynamic offensively since he increased his range out to the arc, and Durant's efficiency has reached historic levels.

Without Westbrook, there will be extra ball-handling, playmaking and decision-making responsibilities on Durant's shoulders. He's ready to take on the challenge, but does he have the wherewithal to lead OKC back to the finals?

3. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Although the team added depth in 2012-13, Paul is the facilitator that makes it all work, and Griffin is the weapon that wears down defenses.

Griffin's development as a post-up scorer and mid-range shooter opened up opportunities for the rest of the club, while Paul's culture of unselfishness yielded a team total of 23.9 assists per game.

We only need to look at L.A.'s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 3 to see the duo's value. Griffin was held to two rebounds, while Paul mustered just eight points and four assists. Consequently, the Clips were soundly defeated.

With Russell Westbrook out indefinitely, can the Lob City tandem establish itself as the top one-two punch in the West?

2. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs mainstays Tony Parker and Tim Duncan carved up the competition for most of the regular season, and they're doing it again in the playoffs.

Everyone is wondering when they'll fall apart, but Parker's not done improving, and Duncan is as powerful as ever.

Having them on the floor at the same time is like having two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in the same huddle. Parker's assist-to-turnover ratio is nearly three to one, and Duncan's block-to-foul ratio is a robust 1.6.

Once they dispatch the Los Angeles Lakers, they'll face a younger adversary (the Golden State Warriors or Denver Nuggets) in the second round, testing whether there's one more title run left in the tank.

1. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, Miami Heat

Star power goes a long way in the NBA, which is why the league's leading duo is poised to steamroll the Eastern Conference on its way to a repeat title chase.

Erik Spoelstra's Miami Heat own an upgraded lineup and a superb set of role players, but LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are still the most spectacular combo on the planet. A combined PER of 55.7 says it all.

Their presence is just as powerful on defense as it is on offense, as most teams learn the hard way with turnovers and transition embarrassment. James and Wade have learned how to create opportunities for each other and make life miserable for opponents.

No one's going to hand them the Larry O'Brien trophy, but they'll have no problem being proactive and and climbing to the top.